Description
Best Christmas Stuffed Shells: Creamy, cheesy, and festive—this cozy holiday pasta features a rich ricotta filling, marinara, and melty cheese for a family-pleasing Christmas dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 20 jumbo pasta shells
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (plus extra for topping)
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread 1 cup marinara sauce across the bottom of a baking dish.
- Cook jumbo shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and let cool slightly.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, egg, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Spoon the ricotta mixture into each cooked shell and place them in the baking dish.
- Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the top.
- Sprinkle extra mozzarella on top for a golden, melty finish.
- Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10–12 minutes until bubbly and lightly browned.
- Garnish with basil or parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Can be assembled a day ahead; refrigerate covered. Bake from refrigerated temperature, adding 5-10 minutes to bake time if needed.
- Using no-boil shells works well if they fit the dish; adjust bake time as needed.
- Leftovers refrigerate up to 3–4 days; freeze for up to 2 months.
- For a lighter version, use part-skim ricotta and mozzarella.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley for a bright finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-32 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx 5 stuffed shells)
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: Best Christmas Stuffed Shells, Christmas pasta, stuffed shells, holiday pasta, creamy ricotta, festive dinner, Italian Christmas recipe